UNITED NATIONS, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Wednesday condemned the reported use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by forces retreating from Tripoli, said a UN spokesman.
"We are deeply concerned and condemn the reported use by retreating forces of improvised explosive devices in residential areas of Tripoli, resulting in civilians being killed and injured," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters.
The UN political mission in Libya has called on civilians in Tripoli to seek information and heed security advice to stay away from areas that have not been declared safe by authorities, he said.
The United Nations is also greatly concerned over the military buildup by both sides in Libya, said the spokesman.
"We are following with great concern recent reports about a massive influx of weaponry, equipment and mercenaries in support of both sides in the Libyan conflict, which would constitute a flagrant violation of the arms embargo."
"Libya doesn't need more soldiers. It doesn't need more drones. It doesn't need more planes. What it needs is peace, and that's what the Libyan people are crying out for," said Dujarric.
Reports of violations have increased significantly in the past few weeks, with reported near-daily transfers by air, land and sea. This increase in the violations of the arms embargo will only lead to the intensification of the fighting, which will result in devastating consequences for the Libyan people, the spokesman said. "We call on all members of the international community to respect the UN arms embargo and support its full implementation."
The east-based Libyan National Army, under Gen. Khalifa Haftar, until recently has been staging an assault on Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognized Libyan government.
While the UN Security Council approved an arms embargo in an attempt to deny weaponry to both sides of the conflict, it has not authorized any peacekeepers, keeping the UN Support Mission in Libya a political entity with instructions to engage both sides in discussions to end the fighting. Enditem
